Chapter 260 Hermione And Evan's Original Intent

Indeed, Evan was no less frightened than Malfoy. He did not believe he could even conjure such dark magic, let alone succeed at it.

This dark magic that attacked the soul was highly esoteric and complex, requiring a strong mastery of magic and a solid foundation in magical theory.

At Evan's level, he did not think he could achieve it.

Even if it was just an accidental success, it also demonstrated that Evan's recent strength had improved significantly, although he did not feel happy about it.

He stumbled back to the Gryffindor Common Room. No matter who tried to talk to him, he heard nothing.

He sat alone on the sofa in front of the fireplace for a long time, continuing to reflect on it.

Thinking about the consequences of that dark magic, Evan realized that his inner fears were coming true.

He constantly wondered why he had originally studied Dark Magic when he knew there would be such an outcome.

At that moment, he also did not know if he should continue with those studies.

If he proceeded, he could gain great power, but he could not guarantee that he would not lose himself and become an evil dark wizard like Voldemort.

The temptation of power sometimes makes it very difficult to decide.

Perhaps he should change his course...

In the middle of the night, besides Evan, there was no one else in the Gryffindor Common Room.

He stared at the dancing fire in the fireplace, sitting alone in contemplation.

Suddenly, a footstep was heard on the stairs, and someone emerged from the dormitory.

Evan turned around and saw Hermione in a pink pajama approaching him.

"Why haven't you slept?" she asked, surprised.

"I was worried about you. What happened?" Hermione sat on the sofa next to Evan and said nervously, "You look very strange tonight. When I said good night to you, you just nodded."

"I was thinking about... things; I didn't hear your voice," explained Evan.

"What were you thinking about?" Hermione leaned in.

She gazed at Evan, and in the candlelight, her brown eyes shone with a fascinating light.

Seeing Hermione's beautiful and intelligent eyes, Evan felt slightly lost.

It took him a moment to regain his composure.

Evan knew Hermione very well. He knew what she might have noticed. If he didn't explain clearly, she would not let it go and leave things as they were.

He hesitated for a moment and decided to tell her everything.

Although the study of Dark Arts was taboo and had to be kept secret, Evan did not want to hide anything from Hermione.

He trusted her, and he also wanted to hear her opinion.

"I just ran into Malfoy and his cronies on the stairs; they were ready to ambush me!" Evan hesitated. "Don't worry, Hermione, I wasn't harmed. I used a spell to push them back; it was a... dark magic, very esoteric, very complicated, and very wicked. I didn't think I would be able to cast it successfully!"

"Dark magic?" Hermione looked at Evan in horror.

"You know, I've been researching magic recently. In fact, I've been studying dark magic books from the Black collection," Evan said proudly, noticing the increasingly surprised expression on Hermione's face.

"God, are you studying Dark Arts?" Hermione could not believe the news. "I can't believe it. How can you do that? It's wrong. All textbooks say that dark magic is very malevolent. Only dark wizards..."

"To increase my strength, against dark wizards and an uncertain future, it is always good to know a bit about dark magic," Evan's voice faded, his words seemed unfounded, and he looked at Hermione with pleading eyes.

"Are you saying you are not learning these Dark Arts to use them, or to employ that knowledge in something bad, but to understand them better?"

"Exactly, that's it!" Even Evan himself felt that that reason was somewhat convoluted.

Regardless of whether others would believe it or not, he truly thought so.

From start to finish, Evan was not ready to learn and master these Dark Arts, and his research purpose was not to use them.

He didn't want to be an evil dark wizard, perhaps due to prejudices, and had always been deeply biased and wary of dark magic.

But as an important part of magic, dark magic was essential. To become a powerful wizard, he had to study dark magic. This was an indispensable part. Only through a profound understanding of Dark Magic could he better face it. This was what the teaching philosophy of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts had been insisting on.

But it is undeniable that dark magic is too powerful, offering a very easy path to power.

As the research progresses, one will inevitably be subjected to various temptations and tests.

Faced with these temptations, many people do not stick to their original intentions and eventually get lost.

"I don't think it's a problem if you only study it to understand," Hermione said concerned, "But after all, it's DARK MAGIC, you have to be careful!"

"I know, in fact, what happened tonight made me realize that my recent study of magic has taken a wrong turn, which is very dangerous! That's what I've been thinking about," Evan explained, "But I don't know what to do, I am hesitant."

"Don't pressure yourself too much," Hermione looked carefully at Evan for a long time, then suddenly extended her small hand, grabbed Evan's firmly, and said slowly, "I once said that no matter what happens, I will always believe in you. Evan, promise me, don't disappoint me, alright?"

"I promise you, I won't let you down." Evan nodded and replied very seriously, "Thank you, Hermione. Thank you for believing in me all this time!"

Upon seeing Hermione in front of him, Evan finally made a decision.

On the plush sofa by the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room, they conversed at length until midnight, after which Hermione retired to the dormitory to sleep.

Once alone again, Evan retrieved his recent research notes and cast them into the fire, watching as they turned into ashes.

Acknowledging the inevitability of delving into the Dark Arts, he could not simply give up, but resolved to alter his research strategy. Drawing from these Dark Arts, he aimed to delve into the principles, structures, and theories of magic extensively, study ways to combat them, and enhance his own strength.

In doing so, his magical research became exponentially more challenging than before.

Yet, his progress was far more modest, and Evan could not advance as swiftly. Nonetheless, he harbored no regrets. True to his word, he was determined not to disappoint Hermione.

Evan had a sense that Dumbledore had once been entangled in the Dark Arts in his youth and might have faced a similar crossroads.

Ultimately paying a grievous price, losing his sister's life, Dumbledore repented and awakened to his mistakes.

This marked Dumbledore's life-altering remorse, leading him to pledge himself to combat Dark Magic.

Reminding himself not to replicate the same errors, Evan aimed to either find the right path after loss like Dumbledore or resist becoming a puppet of power like Voldemort.

For Hermione, for himself, he must remain ever vigilant.